The Big Reds flexed their muscle on both sides of the ball, turning a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown into a running clock with a 49-21 victory against top-ranked Midland on its home field.

Senior fullback John King rushed for 234 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries as the Big Reds took control early in the Division 2 regional championship game.

“I feel like we can’t be stopped, but I don’t want to overestimate us,” King said. “I just want to stay healthy.”

Muskegon led 34-7 at halftime and was never threatened in rolling into next week’s state semifinals.

The Big Reds (11-1) face Caledonia (9-3) with a site and game time yet to be announced. Birmingham Brother Rice (10-2) takes on Wyandotte Roosevelt (11-1) in the other semifinal and the winners will play for the state title at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 in Detroit. Muskegon last won a state championship in 2008.

“We’re excited to know that we can play well and confident and Caledonia is not going to be any joke,” Muskegon coach Shane Fairfield said.

The Big Reds’ advantage in athletic ability showed early against Midland, scoring on five of their first six possessions.

Muskegon was the quicker team and dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

“They’re the real deal, we knew we would have to play perfect,” said Midland coach Eric Methner, whose team finishes 11-1.

“They have some terrific skill kids and we know that. They have great athletes. The thing we really struggled with was up front. Their offensive line was outstanding and so was their defensive line. We had a hard time sustaining blocks and in pass protection. That was the key to the game, the offensive and defensive line.”

Muskegon was up to the challenge going up against a Midland team that includes Notre Dame recruit Steven Elmer on the offensive line.

Muskegon was fast out of the gate, going 80 yards on the game’s first possession capped by a 2-yard run by King.

The 5-11, 205-pound senior broke free on a 65-yard touchdown run and another score from 2 yards out to give Muskegon a 21-0 with 10:31 remaining in the first half.

Muskegon went to the air to add an 80-yard strike from Jalen Smith to E’monte Briggs and Smith scooted 10 yards around the right end to make it 34-7 at the half.

“It was a big game and we prepared well,” King said. “We worked a lot on offense and defense this week. Coach said back to the basics this week.”

Midland’s first-half score was a 5-yard pass from quarterback Alec Johnson to Thomas Smith and Travis Patten squirted free on a 78-yard TD run to start the second half to give Midland a little life, but Muskegon reasserted itself after a scoreless third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, King added his final touchdown from 33 yards out and Deshaun Thrower added a 2-yard TD run with 6:21 remaining that forced the running clock.

The Big Reds also had two touchdowns wiped out by penalty.

“We had to come out on a good foot and come out strong,” Smith said. “We knew it was win or go home. We’ve been looking for that perfect game, but I don’t think that was it. I think the next one or the championship game, it’s got to come.”

Muskegon finished with 470 yards in total offense, 310 on the ground and 160 through the air.

Midland quarterback Alec Johnson finished off the scoring with a 29-yard hookup with Will Williams. Johnson was 11-of-22 for 149 yards, but was picked off by Muskegon’s Jacob Sims and Jordon Waire. Muskegon did not turn the ball over.